Vehicle-spring



(No Model.)

0. R. WILSON VEHICLE SPRING. No. 269,493. I Patented De0.19,1882..

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UNITED STATES PATENT CHARLES R. WILSON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

VEHICLE-SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,498, dated December 19, 1882,

Application filed September 30, 1882. (N0 model.) v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES It. WILsON, of Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Vehicle-Springs for Side-Bar Vehicles; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention consists in the combinations of devices and appliances hereinafter specified, and more particularly pointedout in the claim.

In the drawings,I igurel representsa spring embodying my invention, with the ends of the upper l af curved upward. Fig. 2'represents a similar spring with the extremities of the upper leaf curved downward.

This improvement relates to that type of springs such as are employed upon side-bar vehicles and extend laterally across the vehicle from one bar to the other, and more particularly to that class of springs composed of two sections, an upper section connected directly or indirectly with the buggy-body, and the lower section connected directly or indirectly with the side bars. Heretofore springs of this character have been made in which the upper leaf and the lower leaf are connected at their middle points, resting here upon an interposed block and diverging from the block or middle bolt to the extremities, one with a direct upward bend and the other with a direct downward bend. In these springs, however, the reach must be dropped down or the body be considerably elevated in order to accommodate the spring. .1 am aware also that a somewhat similar spring has been made in which the top section was comparatively rigid and bowed downward at its middle point, the lower section being flexible and straight through the greater portion of its length, so

that as weight was applied the lower spring would lap upon the upper section and conform nearly to the shape of the upper section. At the same time, by its lapping, it would graduate its tension to correspond with different loads. So, also, a spring of this character has been made with its upper leaf and lower leaf both curved upwardly at the middle point, so as to lap upon each other for a greater or less distance at each side of the middle point, the said lap increasing as the load is increased, and so graduating the tension of the spring to correspond with the different loads upon the vehicle, and possessing a peculiar elasticity.

It is the object of my invention to produce a spring similar in general form, but possessing a different elastic action.

To this end A represents the top section, and B the bottom section, each made either in a. single piece or of two or more leaves. These sections are not bolted together at their middle points, as heretofore, nor are they brought into con tact at their middle points; but instead thereof a separating-block of Wood or metal is interposed between the two sections,one upon each side of the middle point, at O, as shown, and the sections are here clipped to the blocks or otherwise securely fastened thereto.

It is apparent that by locating the blocks nearer to or farther from the center the spring is made more or less elastic. When a load is brought upon this spring the top section is depressed at its extremities, causing it to rise somewhat at its middle point, as the top-section is bent down over the lower section. At

the same time the pressure communicated through the blocks to the lower section causes the latter to straighten out more or less at its middle, and its central point is caused to drop away from the upper section. In this way that portion of the two leaves between the blocks is permitted to yield in a manner impossible with springs which are fastened rigidly together at the center-points, and a very peculiar and agreeable action of the spring is the result. Moreover, the springs are not weakened at the middle point, as would be the case were they punctured at this point for the passage of a bolt.

I do not limit myself to any peculiar construction at the extremities of my top and bottom sections. They may be curved upwardly or downwardly, be turned outward or inwardin fact, may be shaped in any way for counection with the body and the side bars respectively.

It is apparent that a bolt might bepassed through the two sections of the spring at the middle point and then be supplied on the outside of one or both of the sections with arubher spring or washer which would permit the springs to yield away from each other, as before explained,between the two clips, but which might serve to stiffen the spring at the central point under heavy loads, the essential feature of my invention being the location of the blocks and clips at a distance upon each side of the central point, so as to leave a free ac tion of the two sections between the clips.

What I claim is- As an improvement in springs for side-bar vehicles, the combination, with the springleaves A and B, having their ends disconnected and adapted to be attached respeotively to the vehicle-body and the usual side bars, of two blocks, 0 O, interposed directly between the leaves at points adjacent to but on opposite sides of the center of the same, to create an intervening space, and devices connecting the leaves together at such points and confining the blocks in proper position between the leaves, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES R. WILSON.

Witnesses: v

N. S. WRIGHT, A. M. HENRY. 

